Self Portrait Bust

This project, created in my Intro to Hand Building class, marks my first experience with ceramics. The month-long assignment involved creating a self-portrait bust with an artistic twist. Symbolizing the struggle with self-expression, the piece serves as a physical manifestation of the challenge in communicating thoughts. During the bisque firing, a section of the head unexpectedly blew off. I embraced this imperfection as an opportunity to add depth, with the rupture emphasizing that the bust’s distortion was not self-inflicted.

The images below showcase the final bust, followed by photos taken before the bisque and glaze processes, along with glimpses of the creative journey.

Materials used: Mid Fire Stoneware Clay (White with Grog Δ 6), glaze.
Dimensions: 11” x 8” x 13.5” at its longest, widest, and tallest points.